School

Basic

History

School records can be a very interesting source of information about the early lives of our ancestors. They can reveal something about their character, diligence, and intelligence. The oldest records about individual students in the Czech Republic can be found in the registers of the universities and secondary schools (Gymnaziums). Charles University in Prague, established in 1348, is the oldest university in Central Europe and maintains its own archive. The most important school records, from a family history perspective, are the student reports, which show the attendance and grades for each student. Many archives have preserved these school records from the mid-1800s to the present. Additionally, student registers are available from elementary schools, secondary schools, teachers’ institutes, and universities.

Until the late-1700s, formal education in Austria was offered only at convent schools, and tuition was charged. Only the wealthy could afford to pay tuition and women were essentially barred from attending. Elementary schools were dependent on the favour of the feudal authority or the town council. Higher education was almost totally controlled by the Jesuits. This disorganized system brought about a complete lack of interest from the general population, resulting in a very high rate of illiteracy.

In 1774, Maria Theresa issued the General School Regulation, which established a system of public education in the Habsburg Empire. The edict made school compulsory for all children – both boys & girls – between the ages of 6 and 12. Maria Theresa realized that the changing economy required a better educated workforce. She also hoped that education could be used to improve public morality and to instill a positive work ethic in the general population. This General School Regulation unified textbooks, regulated teacher education, and defined three types of schools. At the lower end were the trivial schools, where initially the "trivium" – reading, writing, and basic arithmetic – was taught. Later more subjects were added. In villages, children learned the basics of agriculture; in towns, industry theory was taught. Girls were trained in needlework, knitting, and flax processing.

A network of schools was quickly established. The first schools often had just one room, where all children of all grades were taught. Although education was mandatory, in reality, village children attended school only in the winter, when there was no work in the fields. Higher education was available at Main schools (hlavní škola), established usually at regional hubs and at Normal schools, where students were prepared for the teaching profession. Considering the fact that at that time it was common for 10-year-old children to work in textile factories from 5am till 10pm each day except Sundays and feast days, this was a revolutionary achievement.

In 1869, compulsory education was modified to include all children from 6 to 14 years-of-age. Additional subjects like nature, history, geography, geometry, drawing, singing-lessons, and gym were added to the curriculum. Control of the schools, up to this point granted to the church, was transferred to the state and teachers became state employees. Children studied 5 years in the elementary school (obecná škola), followed by 3 years in the Municipal school (měšťanská škola).

Secondary education was represented by the Gymnazium (gymnázium), which served as preparation for university or for work in an office. There, students studied the humanities and education lasted 8 years. Since the mid-1800s, new secondary schools (reálné gymnázium), oriented toward vocational training and science, were established.